Chemical Gas Leak at School Laboratory Sends 16 Students to Hospital
Sixteen students from a private school in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district were hospitalized on Thursday after a dangerous gas leak occurred within the school premises. The incident took place at Lions Public School in the Sandila area, sending panic through the educational institution and prompting immediate emergency response.
Immediate Response and Medical Emergency
The crisis began around 10 am on November 20, 2025, when students started experiencing severe respiratory symptoms including violent coughing, breathing difficulties, and general uneasiness. School authorities quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and evacuated the affected students from the building.
According to District Magistrate Anunaya Jha, local authorities responded promptly to the emergency. "The information came around 10 am that at Lions Public School, Sandila, students are complaining of violent coughing and uneasiness because of some alleged gas leak on the premises," Jha confirmed.
Medical teams transported all 16 affected students to nearby hospitals in Hardoi for emergency treatment. While most students showed stable conditions after initial medical attention, one student required specialized care and was referred to King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow for advanced pain management and monitoring.
Investigation and Official Actions
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gas leak originated from the school's laboratory, though the exact chemical responsible hasn't been officially confirmed. Sources indicated that students began showing symptoms shortly after exposure to the leaked substance.
Both district administration and police officials conducted thorough inspections of the school facility following the incident. "Officials of both the local administration and police are inspecting the school and necessary action will be taken accordingly," District Magistrate Jha added, emphasizing that student safety remained the top priority.
The Hardoi police department released an official statement confirming the incident: "Following a gas leak in a school under the Sandila police station area, the affected students were admitted to hospital after they fainted. The DM and the SP inspected the school and then reached the hospital, met with the students, and instructed the doctors for better treatment."
All hospitalized students are reported to be in stable condition, with medical professionals closely monitoring their recovery. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols in school laboratories and the need for stricter enforcement of chemical handling regulations in educational institutions across Uttar Pradesh.
